Dear editor,
Don McRae and his supporters recently ran an ad that implies that the recall campaign is somehow “intimidation.”
I attended a meeting of volunteers preparing for the recall of Don McRae and find it hard to believe that anyone would find this group threatening.
Determined, certainly. Energetic for sure. But threatening, hardly.
I would estimate the average age of those attending to be 55 or more — including myself. One gent told me he “always” voted Liberal, although I doubt the BC Liberal party existed back when he started voting.
He will not be voting Liberal again, however. He made that abundantly clear. It was certainly not an all-NDP crowd.
The purpose of the meeting was to ensure that the recall petition is properly handled within the rules of Elections BC. Important information such as what not to say when speaking to a voter.
For example, we are not to say or imply that by signing this recall the voter can expect the HST to be repealed. We can say that the purpose of the recall is to pressure the government to move up the HST referendum date or repeal the HST.
We were also told that in Oak Bay, the opposition to the petition assigned “observers” to tail the canvassers. Apparently these brave souls follow right up to the doorstep dressed in black.
The observers are allowed to follow canvassers but are not allowed to speak, so I figure I can introduce them as my ‘special’ nephews who think it’s Halloween, “give them some candy, it will cheer them up.”
So, to the voters of Comox Valley: If you see a couple of folks with name badges followed by a couple of ninjas approaching your door, don’t be afraid. We are only there to offer you the opportunity to show this and future governments that there are consequences to reckless and underhanded policies.
We are certainly not there to threaten or even convince you. Our purpose is to make the process easier for you either way.
Bruce McAra,
Cumberland
